·Forum on Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan – how the city
relates to neighborhoods - at Lake Hiawatha Community Center, 2701 44th
St. Changed from 10 am to 2 pm, this Saturday. Give your input on how the city
intends to relate to the Neighborhoods

CPAfter initial presentations
from Kandiyohi Development on their proposed Biomass Co-Generating plant to be
located at the old City incinerator site behind Dalsin Roofing and behind
Pioneer Cemetery, EPIC initially supported the project. A local biomass power
plant and district heating plant which would help reduce the carbon footprint
of the area and help provide oil independence sounded like a good idea. EPIC
wrote a letter of support for the project and signed a “Good Neighbor
Agreement” with Kandiyohi Development Partners (KDP).

However,
as residents became more aware of the particulates and pollution the plant
would deposit on the neighborhood, many people started having second thoughts,
State Rep. Karen Clark was among them. EPIC decided to do independent
research and make a determination based on available facts as to whether or not
the Biomass Plant would be a good idea for the community.

People
were alarmed by the following findings:

üAccording to the MPCA’s proposed environmental permit,
the facility could release up to one million pounds of particulate matter into
the air above this community every year.

üAccording to the MPCA findings,
“The Midtown district energy facility will be a major source of hazardous air pollutants” for
the neighborhood.

üThere are reports that the available clean waste wood
fuel supply may not be adequate which according to State Law could permit the
facility to burn up to 30% Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF – garbage) without
additional permits. They claim they won’t do that. We would have no way to
know. GNA doesn’t require reporting.

üThe community already has many sources of pollution –
Dalsin Roofing with their hot tar storage, Bituminous Roadways with their
asphalt plant and asphalt hot storage, Smith Foundry, the Arsenic Triangle
Super Fund site and the high levels of lead in local homes and yards as a
result of past leaded gasoline and lead based paint.

This
along with the fact that there are no studies of the cumulative affect
all these sources of pollution on our health, led the EPIC Board to vote to
recommend rescinding support for the Plant and question the Good Neighbor
Agreement with Kandiyohi Developers and to recommend that the EPIC membership
do the same.

It should be noted that the Green Institute’s “Comments
on Midtown Eco-EnergyBiomass
Facility Permit Application” became available to the EPIC Board after the above recommendation was made. As such it
played no part in our decision.

LLAll previous public meetings on
the biomass plant were scheduled on the second Thursday of the month – the same
time the EPIC meetings have always been scheduled. This prevented the EPIC
members from attending either one or the other meeting. That is why the EPIC
Board voted to cancel the December EPIC General Membership meeting. This
enabled many EPIC members to participate in the last biomass public meeting.

AAIf this plant will produce so
much pollution, why is the City of Minneapolis not against it?

GSThe City was told one thing by
the developers. The City relies on the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to set
limits.

The
developers must have three things in order for the City to sell them the land:

1)A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

2)A Good Neighbor Agreement with EPIC, and

3)PCA approval.

At
this time, the developer does not have a PPA.

PWThe agreement to sell the land
states that the Good Neighbor Agreement may not be necessary if the neighborhood
is found to be acting capriciously.

GSThe neighborhood is not being
capricious – I think it is being responsible.

MOTION:JT EPIC
rescinds any and all former endorsements of the Midtown EcoEnergy Biomass Plant
project,

Furthermore,
EPIC will actively participate in opposition to the establishment of the Biomass
plant,

Furthermore,
Given that there has not been a level of disclosure protective of the East
Phillips Community, we do not believe there is sufficient confidence for the
EPIC organization to continue as a signatory on the Good Neighbor Agreement
with Kandiyohi. For this reason EPICwithdraws
its signature from this agreement.JT Moved.MG Seconded. No one
opposed.BP Abstained.

Super
America:

CPMinneapolis Licensing held a
meeting today with Members of the community, CCP SAFE, the Third Precinct and
SA management. The goal was to convince SA that they must improve their
performance as a neighborhood convenience store or face license revocation.

In
the end, SA agreed to work with the Community and the Council Member to address
a long list of “Suggestions” which was compiled with community input.

SA
reported that they have police presence Fri. Sat. and Sun. nights and have a
roving cop driving from SA location to SA location in addition.

In
the past, SA verbally asked the Police to be more “aggressive” in their
approach to controlling illegal activity on their premises. They learned that
the police they hire are not being proactive enough and will seek a written
agreement with the police outlining mutual expectations.

LSGas Pump and parking lot
congestion is awful. Try to figure out how to make traffic flow better and
safer.

CPAre you committed to leaving in
Five years?

SAThere are size problems and
that prevents this store from meeting the core strategy of SA. At present, we
will probably leave within that time frame.

DVAs a close neighbor, I am not
interested in seeing this store cycle between barely acceptable and horrific. I
am adamant that the store close.

GSA boarded building is also a
problem.

DVA vacant lot cannot be as bad
as SA.

MGSA has an obligation to provide
security three nights a week – that’s nice but it doesn’t make it safe the rest
of the time. SA is not doing enough.

JTYou need to do something about
the litter and keep the store clean.

PWAs long as you are planning to
leave in five years, why not leave now?

East Phillips
Park Cultural and Community Center:

BPThe $3.25 million funding that
CLIC had recommended over two years for the project evaporated to $319,000. If
asked, the Mayor would say that the funding is there in the budget – but the
city “gave” the park board their own Tax Levi dollars, - dollars the PB relies
on for maintenance and repair of all eighty some city parks and said, ‘here, use
this for East Phillips’. East Phillips values the city park system and would
not recommend stopping roof repair and water heater replacement on other parks
for our project. Apparently the Mayor would.

To
counter this loss, the Design Team in cooperation with the MPRB is creating a
partnership of community corporations, foundations, nonprofits and individuals
which will raise money for the bricks and mortar of the buildings as well as
the ongoing operating costs of the community center. Everyone is invited to
contribute, contact CP at EPIC for details (612-280-8418).

Crime Issues:

GSVacant and BoardedForeclosures are increasing alarmingly. They
are bad here but much worse in North Mpls.

2846 17th Ave. S. shooting. JTcalled police three times about serious
trouble at this address BEFORE the shooting. What does it take to make a
difference?

GSThe right people didn’t get
the information. Call Gary Schiff at 612-673-2209 or Don Greely at
612-673-3482. The neighbors all knew but were unable to get 911 or 311 to
respond. This is very frustrating. GS “I
want to find out what and who screwed up.”

CP2625 Bloomington is the same.

Greenway
Town Homes 2931 Bloomington:

CPThis townhome development on the North side of the Midtown Greenway East
of Bloomington Ave is about to break ground – but – it needs people who might
be interested in a very affordable town Home similar to those on 24th
St between Bloomington and 17th Ave. S., to indicate their interest.
This will not commit youin any way to anything. It only tells the builder and
the lender that there is interest in this project. If there are enough
interested people in this project it can become reality. If not, the land might
be sold to someone else who might build 80 efficiency transient apartments in a
six story building without adequate parking – as was planned before.

If
you are interested and can afford the payments,please call Carol Pass @ 612-916-8478 and complete at non-binding form which will help to secure the property
and prevent the consequences.

Updates
on other developments:

CP2603 Bloomington Ave project has been minimalized to the point
that zoning variances are not required. Therefore the project will proceed as
the property owners wish.

Open Arms at 25th and Bloomington is still raising money for this wonderful project. If
you wish to donate, contact EPIC at 612-280-8418.

Franklin
Station Condos:are a very
affordable housing option for those who value inner-city living in a reviving
community. Ground –breaking is imminent and if you have an interest, in this
buyers market, Contact Carol Pass 612-280-8478.

Future
Neighborhood Funding:

CDBG
cut funding to neighborhoods NRP funding. They propose that neighborhoods
‘compete’ for very limited funds - they propose only $2 million for 80 (eighty)
neighborhoods.

At
the same time, the city wasted $10 million on convention scheduling software
which they farmed out to a Singapore company which took the City of Minneapolis
for a $10 million ride.

Meeting was called to order at 9:35 by CP. Agenda was
distributed. MG was designated as recording secretary.

MEETING AS A COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE (WITHOUT RC)

AGENDA

The agenda was approved with the addition of a Crime
Announcement.

MINUTES

The minutes from the last board meeting were not
available.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CP distributed draft minutes from the EPIC General
Membership Meeting (EGMM) on 11/8/07. The next EGMM is Thursday, January 10,
2008 @ 6:30 PM at Holy Rosary Church.

Minneapolis Comprehensive Plan

CP announced that the open house at Lake Hiawatha
Community Center, 2701 E. 44th St., has been changed from 10
am-Noon, to 2 pm – 4 pm. EPIC’s concern regarding the Minneapolis Comprehensive
Plan focuses on how the city plans to “relate” to the neighborhoods. Will the
city relate to the neighborhoods? What is the role of the neighborhoods in
decision making?

ACTION: Directors
should try to attend this meeting.

CRIME/SHOOTING/ILLEGAL BOARDING HOUSES

There was a shooting in the vicinity of 28th
Street and 17th Avenue on Thrusday, December 27th. The
community contacted Gary Schiff and learned that the building in question was
an illegal boarding house with about 15 rooms in the house. Gary has pledged to
the community to close any illegal boarding houses.

ACTION: JT will
contact Gary and find out what is the definition of an illegal boarding house
so that the community can assist in addressing this issue neighborhood wide.

BIOMASS PLANT

The neighborhoods are asking for an environmental
assessment worksheet regarding the proposed biomass plant on Hiawatha Avenue.
This is a more comprehensive study of pollutants. We were not told about the
pollution levels and what they were in earlier presentations by the developers.
Documentation: Tech Support Doc. discussed. Other neighborhoods leaving it up to
us. The EPIC Board has rescinded our initial motion of support for the Biomass
Plant and is now on the offensive for a more thoughtful approach. We will
discuss and vote on the Board’s December 1st, ’07 motion this next
Thursday at our general membership meeting. This decision is in accordance with
EPIC’s role as a member of the Good Neighbor committee regarding the plant,
which pertains to plant operation.Need
to consider that this may be treated as a go-ahead for the project. The project
is also moving ahead very quickly. The Board doesn’t see any real benefit to
our neighbors and serious environmental justice issues. We were not told the
whole story. Articles and information has gone out to the neighborhood.
Residents are calling and asking questions.

ACTION: Directors
will recommend the December Board motion to rescind support for the Biomass
Plant to the GMM

SUPER AMERICA MEETING

On Jan. 10th Mpls City Licensing will be meeting with
Super America owners/managers about licensing issues related to the SA on 25th
and BloomingtonThe License Settlement
conference is the first hearing held to see if the city can get the licensee to
agree to change their practices. Licensing present's evidence and SA can reply
to the city's concerns.The conference
will be limited to discussion about licensing violations, not larger issues
about the future of the store.

Licensing has requested that any community member, who
wishes to, provide a written community impact statement about issues, concerns
that you have observed in the store or on the property. These statements will
become part of the record and could have an impact on the stores future. You
can email impact statements to Don Greeley -
donald.greeley@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or to Julie Casey - julie.casey@ci.minneapolis.mn.us)

ACTION: CP, JT will
attend the meeting (City Hall, room to be determined.)

MEETING AS A QUORUM

CAMERA MOTION

On 11/8/2007 the GMM passed a motion to authorize up to
$15,000 of NRP money to buy another portable camera for the MPD to be used in
the East Phillips Neighborhood. JT opposed the motion and has concerns about
whether the MPD has enough officers to monitor the camera.

ACTION: Ryan Bruske will be asked to give an update on his
research regarding cameras for the GMM. EPIC wants to know if the camera can be
used as evidence to convict.

The community needs to attend the two meetings scheduled.
The Park Board is saying that we need to spend the money that we have now. We
want to slow things down so we can raise more money.

DEVELOPMENTS

2601-2603 Bloomington – this project has shrunk to the
extent that they no longer need a parking lot.

2931 Bloomington – this project has a permit to build;
nothing is happening.

Boarded and Vacant properties are growing and 70% of these
are rental properties. Landlords have been heavily fined and have let the
properties go back to the banks. Forclosures are pending.

ACTION: It would be good to get a list of these properties.

Greenway Town Homes – the
$48,000 NRP funds are still being stalled. CP distributed copies of a Preferred
Buyer Agreement. This agreement reserves the units of the project, however, a
Preferred Buyer may decline to exercise their option once the specific unit
does become available. If enough people complete these applications, the town
homes project will move forward.

EPIC is getting less money in 2008 ($7,500 instead of $9,425.)
In addition CDBG is not providing a contract for our signature. The
significance to EPIC is that without a contract, EPIC or any neighborhood’s recognition of its official designation as the
citizen participation organization for its community appears up for grabs. Even
the meaning of that is up for grabs. This is viewed as a stepping stone to
eliminating citizen participation by neighborhoods on the part of the city of
Minneapolis. This contributes to eroding the city’s commitment to support
neighborhood organizations, including NRP funding.

ACTION: CP will follow up on her request for a contract for the
CDBG funds.

NRP

We received $56,000 in program funds from NRP (houses that
were sold, money to be returned to the neighborhood upon sale.) If these funds
are from the housing category, the board will propose a motion to the GMM to
allocate these additional funds to the Greenway Town Home project to help move
it along.

ACTION: CP will determine what category these funds came from in
the original NRP plan.